breeding cockatoos

[dwarf-puffers]

i have goten the eggs to hatch 1ce but since i have moved them to there new tank all they have done is laid eggs and eaten them is there any hints i could use dont want to artificially raise but if thats my only opinion i will i havnt ever removed the dad should i there curently in a 15 gallon all to them selves its heavilly planted and its a trio in there please i need some help! the only time it has worked was when they were in a 30 but they had other fish around them so thats y i moved them to there own breeding tank if you need more info please ask o ya 1 more thing the flower pots there in r like this
|pot!|
( -0- )
sry thats the best i could do the 0 is the whole they go in is that the right way the pot should be the male can get into the hole thats ok right

 

[dwarf-puffers]

any1 have a tip or anythig?

 

[pnyklr3]

Hmm, I could be mistaken, but I think the 15 is too small for a trio...I think they would feel more comfortable in the 30. A female will eat her eggs for a few reasons. One reason is that she is inexperienced, and another is that she feels her eggs are not safe (weird that she eats them for this reason, I know).

Also, what are the water parameters of this tank, how often are water changes done, and how much % each time?

In my opinion, the females are feeling pressure from the cramped quarters. Their territories are smaller, they often see the other females, so they eat the eggs. Mom will generally do a good job of keeping Dad away (she'll snap her tail as a warning if he gets too close, but she'll charge any other fish). If she has to work too hard defending her brood, she may just give up and gobble.

Your choices are:
1) Remove the eggs and artifically hatch them (must keep them from getting fungus though).
2) Leave them be, so what if they don't have a billion babies.
3) Put them back into the 30 gallon (perhaps move the 30 gallon fish somewhere else) and let them try and get it right (may take a few more times, though).

Hope this helps.

EDIT: How many caves are in this tank?

 

[dwarf-puffers]

1 on opisite sides and a big 1 in the middle for the male would it help if i removed one off the females while the other one spond

 

[pnyklr3]

There should be at least 3 caves in the tank. More is always better. is this the same female that laid the eggs last time? She could just be inexperienced. There are also some fish who are just "Bad mothers", and their eggs need to be artificially hatched or they won't hatch at all.

 

[dwarf-puffers]

both them lay there eggs in differrent pots usually at the same time too

 

[BigC]

PM. Peter Lovett on this forum he breeds alot of Apistogrammas. Alternatively get in contact via his website. By all accounts he is very passionate about his fish.
http/www.dwarfcichlid.co.uk/

Regards
BigC

 

[Peter Lovett]

Okay sorry I did not reply earlier.

If your problem continues I would remove both the females and put them in the 30 gallon let them build up some strength. for a couple of week and then reintroduce one of the females and let her spawn if she eats her eggs try the next one.

Could I ask what the hardness and ph is of the water you have.

 

[dwarf-puffers]

i dont know dont have test kit ph around 7 though

 

[Peter Lovett]

If you could find out what your water is like it would help. It is the main cause of failed spawns in apistogrammas and other dwarf cichlids.

Alos what temp do you keep them at?

 

[dwarf-puffers]

79/80